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City Sinn Fein councillors hit out at Gateway employment scheme
Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Sinn Fein contingent of Galway City Council has hit out at the local authority’s use of the Gateway Scheme, describing it as ‘exploitative’ and ‘regressive.’
Speaking at this week’s meeting of the council, Councillor Mairead Farrell said the scheme, which offers the long-term unemployed a job for €50 on top of their current social welfare payment, does not enhance employability.
Her party colleague Councillor Anna Marley described the scheme as ‘abhorrent and punitive’.
Chief Executive Brendan McGrath explained that he has a quota of 55 posts to fill using the scheme.
However, he says it provides an opportunity for unemployed people to gain work experience and learn the skills they need to re-enter the workforce.
Councillor Farrell says the state should be creating jobs, and not using what she describes as ‘slave labour.’
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Eamon Ryan’s mother died suddenly while holidaying on Inishbofin

Green party leader Eamon Ryan is in mourning after his mother died suddenly while on holiday.
The Irish Independent reports that Mary Ryan had an accident while holidaying on Inishbofin off the coast of Galway.
She was airlifted to Galway University Hospital where she died on Tuesday.
A death notice on RIP.ie says Mrs. Ryan, who lived in Sandycove in Dublin, died ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’.
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Plans for housing development in Claregalway turned down

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Plans for a housing development in Claregalway have been turned down.
The project, led by Donald Walsh, proposed the construction of 12 units at a site that originally formed part of the Gleann Mhuiris housing development.
It envisioned access to the mix of 4-bed, 3-bed and 2-bed units would be through the existing estate off the Oranmore Road.
However, planners have rejected the proposal, finding it’s not compatiable with objectives contained within the current County Development Plan.
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Galway farmers and fishermen among top beneficiaries of social welfare assistance last year

Gawlway Bay fm newsroom – Galway farmers and fishermen among top beneficiaries of social welfare assistance last year.
874 were on either the Farm Assist or Rural Social Scheme in Galway in 2021.
Farm Assist is a payment to low-income farmers, capped at 208 euro per week.
The Rural Social Scheme is a similar support, aimed at low-income farmers and fishermen.
The Department of Social Protection says 5,004 people benefited from Farm Assist last year – and 2,981 were on the Rural Social Scheme.
Nationwide, almost 8,000 low-income farmers and fishermen beneffited, with the most in Mayo at almost 1,400.
That was followed closely by Donegal at 1,272, with Galway having the third most on either payment.